Liquid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A liquid dispenser for adding a proportionate amount of a secondary liquid to a moving stream of primary liquid, such as a deodorant or disinfectant to the flushing water of a toilet. The dispenser is designed so that mixing of the primary and secondary liquids take place within a movable plunger within the device. This arrangement allows for a simplified and inexpensive construction, without the requirement of any external actuating mechanism.

United States Patent Peirish, Jr.

[ Sept. 30, 1975 [54] LIQUID DISPENSER 3,465,918 9/1969 Webster 222/145 X [75] Inventor: Alfred J. Peirish, Jr., Fountain Valley, Calif Primar Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg [73] Assigneez International Telephone and Attorney, Agent, or FirmTh0mas L. Peterson Telegraph Corporation, New York, N.Y.

22 Filed: May 31, 1974 [571 ABSTRACT {21] App]. No.: 474,948 A liquid dispenser for adding a proportionate amount of a secondary liquid to a moving stream of primary [52] U S Cl 222/145 liquid, such as a deodorant or disinfectant to the flush- [51 1 5 5/56 ing water of a toilet. The dispenser is designed so that [58] Field of Search 222/1292 482 488 145- mixing Primary and semndary liquids take 239/414 137/516 15 5 f place within a movable plunger within the device. This arrangement allows for a simplified and inexpensive m construction, without the requirement of any external [56] References Cited actuating mechanism.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 3,342,208 9/1967 Steffes l37/5l6.ll

PEM/LQ/QV L/QU/D secomonzv L/QO/D O 9 I I i /v/@ OUTLET PO87;

US. Patent Sept. 30,1975

8 SECOA/DQQV C98 OUTLE T POE 7; /l/I/XED FLO/D5 Sheet 1 of 2 LIQUID DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a liquid dispenser and, more particularly, to a dispenser for adding a proportionate amount of a secondary liquid to a moving stream of primary liquid.

The present invention is particularly useful for dispensing a deodorant or disinfectant into the flushing water of a toilet at a predetermined ratio. However, as will be appreciated, the invention is useful for many applications wherein it is necessary to add a proportionate amount of a secondary liquid to a moving stream of primary liquid. It has typically been the practice to utilize a dispenser for toilets which requires an external electrical device or mechanical actuator for operation of the same. Examples of external electrical powered devices are magnets, solenoids, relays, etc. Examples of external mechanical actuators are levers, rods, gears, cams, etc. US. Pat. No. 2,682,883 to Phillips discloses a proportioner which is operated without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. However, this device is somewhat complex in construction thereby adding substantially to its expense. Moreover, the inlet part of the device remains open during use. Such device therefore is not practical for use in low cost recreational vehicle toilets or the like. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispenser which operates without external electrical or mechanical devices, yet is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture. It is also an object of the invention to provide a liquid dispenser in which the inlet port thereto is closed when the dispenser is not in operation, so that the primary liquid, such as flushing water, will not run continuously through the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the principal aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid dispenser comprising a housing having a primary chamber therein and inlet and outlet ports which communicate with the primary chamber. The primary chamber is connected to a source of primary liquid, such as flushing water for a toilet. The outlet port is connected to the toilet bowl. A secondary liquid chamber is also provided on the housing. This chamber may hold a disinfectant or deodorant, which is desired to be added to the primary liquid in a proportionate amount. Typically, the secondary liquid chamber is fed with secondaray liquid by gravity flow from a suitable source. A plunger is slidable in the primary chamber of the housing. The

plunger is formed with a passage which extends in the direction of the inlet and outlet ports. The plunger is biased by a spring to a first position wherein the plunger closes both the inlet port and the secondary liquid chamber. Hence, no primary liquid flows through the dispenser under normal conditions. When the toilet is flushed, the head of flushing water connected to the inlet port acts upon the plunger to move it in a direction against the force of the spring, thereby placing the secondary liquid chamber in flow communication with the passage in the plunger. Accordingly, the primary and secondary liquids mix within the passage in the plunger and thereafter discharge from the dispenser through the outlet port into the toilet bowl. After the flushing operation, when the pressure across the dispenser equalizes, the spring shifts the plunger back to its normal position wherein the inlet port and the secondary liquid chamber are closed. Therefore, no further liquid passes through the dispenser until the toilet is again operated. Since the mixing of the primary and secondary liquids takes place within the passage formed in the plunger, the construction of the housing and the plunger may be relatively simple and therefore inexpensive. It will be appreciated, of course, that the dispenser of the present invention may be utilized for dispensing proportionate amounts of primary and secondary liquids into receptacles other than toilets, such as dishwasher machines, automatic clothes washers,

etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through one form of the dispenser of the present invention, shown in its normally closed position and connected to sources of primary and secondary liquid;

Flg. 2 is a sectional view of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1, but shown in its open position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the plunger employed in the dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG; 4 is a top plan view of the plunger illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the plunger illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of the dispenser of the present invention, shown in its normally closed position;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the dispenser in its open position; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-5 in detail, there is illustrated one form of the dispenser of the present invention, generally designated 10. The dispenser comprises a cylindrical body 12 having a cylindrical chamber 14 therein. An outlet port 16 is provided at the lower end of the body 12. This port is joined to the cylindrical wall of the body 12 by means of an integral flange 18. A cap 20 is secured to the upper end of the body 12, as by a threaded connection, as shown, or by bonding. The cap is formed with an inlet port 22 which is coaxial with the cylindrical body 12. The inlet portion is connected to a source of primary'liquid 24, such as a body of flushing water for a toilet. The outlet port 16 is connected to the toilet bowl, not shown.

A tubular member or boss 26 is connected to the cylindrical sidewall of the body 12. The tubular member extends perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical body. The tubular member provides a secondary liquid chamber 28 which opens into the primary liquid chamber 14 in the body 12. The outer end of the tubular member 26 provides an inlet port 30 which is connected to a source of secondary liquid 32, which may contain a deodorant or disinfectant. A one-way valve 34 is mounted in the inlet port 30. This valve allows flow by gravity of liquid from the source 32 into the chamber 28. The valve is shown as being a conventional duck-bill valve, although other forms of one-way valves may be utilized if desired.

A cylindrical plunger 36 is mounted for sliding vertical movement within the primary chamber 14 of the body 12. An annular groove 38 is formed in the outer surface of the plunger 36 intermediate its opposite ends. A plurality of vertically extending bores 39 are formed in the upper portion of the plunger around its outer periphery, as best seen in FiG. 4. These bores extend from the upper surface 40 of the plunger to the groove 38. Additional vertically extending bores 42 are formed in the lower portion of the plunger about the periphery thereof. The bores 42 extend from the lower surface 44 of the plunger to the groove 38. By way of example, only four bores 39 may be provided in the upper portion of the plunger and twice as many bores, namely 8, may be provided in the lower portion of the plunger. Preferably, the bores 39 are in alignment with four of the bores 32 in the plunger.

A coil spring 46 is disposed between the flange 18 and the lower surface 44 of the plunger 36. This spring normally biases the plunger upwardly so that its upper surface 40 engages the end wall 48 formed by the cap 20. As seen in FIG. 1, the bores 39 and 42 are arranged so that they are out of alignment with the inlet port 22. In addition, when the plunger is in its upper position, the annular groove 38 is positioned above the secondary liquad chamber 28 so that the cylindrical outer surface of the lower portion of the plunger 36 normally closes off the chamber 28. Thus, when the plunger is in its upper position, the inlet port 22 and secondary liquid chamber 28 are out of communication with the primary chamber 14 in the body 12. Hence, neither the primary or secondary liquid may flow through the dispenser.

When fluid pressure is applied to the upper surface of the plunger 36, such as by introducing primary liquid into the port 22 from the source 24 upon flushing of the toilet, the plunger will move downwardly as seen in FIG. 2 to overcome the force of the spring 46. The force of the spring and the length of the plunger is such that when a predetermined charge of primary liquad is introduced into the inlet port 22, the annular groove 38 in the plunger will register with the secondary liquid chamber 28. Hence, as seen in FIG. 2, primary and secondary liquids will mix in the annular chamber 38 and bores 42, and the mixed liquid will discharge from the outlet 16 into the toilet bowl. After the toilet flushing operation ceases, the spring 46 will return the plunger to its upward position closing off both the inlet port and the secondary liquid chamber 28. Then secondary liquid will flow into the chamber 28 through the one-way valve 34 from the source 32 by gravity. By use of the one-way valve 34, the primary liquid cannot influence the source of secondary liquid 32.

It will be appreciated that because initial mixing of the primary and secondary liquids take place within the interior of the plunger, both the body 12 and plunger have a simple cylindrical configuration which permits a relatively simple construction and therefore low manufacturing cost. An even more simplified construction is incorporated in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, wherein parts similar to those employed in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 bear the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the tubular member 26 and inlet port 22 are both provided on the cap 20. These elements extend vertically but are offset from the longitudinal axis of the body 12 as best seen in FIG. 8. The cap is shown as being bonded to the body 12. The plunger 36 is somewhat different in construction than the plunger illustrated in FIGS. 15. In this embodiment, the plunger is a downwardly facing hollow cup-shaped member having an upper base portion 50 which has a passage 52 provided therein. This passage is coaxial with the cylindrical wall of the body 12 and is dimensioned so as to be out of alignment with the chamber 28 and inlet port 22. The coil spring 46 is disposed within the hollow cavity 54 provided by the cup-shaped plunger. The spring urges the plunger into its normal upward position wherein the passage 52 is closed by the end wall 48. In this position of the plunger, the base portion 50 thereof closes the inlet port 22 and the secondary fluid chamber 28 provided in the tubular member 26. When liquid is introduced into the dispenser through the inlet port 22, the force of the flowing liquid will act on the base portion 50 of the plunger causing the plunger to overcome the force of the spring 46 and move downwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 7. In this position of the plunger, the secondary liquid chamber 28 is in flow communication with the primary chamber 14 above the plunger so that the primary and secondary liquids will mix in that region. Thereafter the liquids will flow through the passage 52 and continue mixing within the cavity 54 in the plunger, thereafter exiting through the outlet port 16. It is seen that the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 functions essentially the same as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15, but the structure of the second embodiment is somewhat simpler and therefore even less expensive than the first embodiment.

It is noted that a flow restriction 56 is provided in the tubular member 26 between the one-way valve 34 and the primary chamber 14 in the dispenser. In addition, the wall 58 of the secondary liquid chamber 28 flares outwardly from the restriction 56 toward the primary chamber so that a Venturi construction is provided within the tubular member 26. Such a construction may also be provided in the tubular member 26 in the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-5. This Venturi arrangement allows additional amount of secondary liquid to be sucked into the primary chamber of the dispenser after a predetermined amount of primary liquid flows through the dispenser. For example, normally about one quart of flushing water is passed through the dispenser, and a proportional substantially smaller amount of secondary liquid is injected into the dispenser from the fixed volume secondary liquid chamber 28. On ocassion, it is desirable to convey more than one quart of water into the toilet connected to the outlet of the dispenser, and under those circumstances a proportional additional amount of secondary liquid will be mixed with the additional flushing water due to the Ve nturi in the chamber 28. However, under normal operation of the dispenser, secondary fluid flows into the chamber 28 only by gravity.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a housing having a primary chamber therein and inlet and outlet ports communicating with said primary chamber, said inlet port opening into the upper end of said primary chamber and being adapted to be connected to a source of primary liquid above said chamber, said outlet port opening into the lower end of said primary chamber;

means on said housing defining a secondary liquid chamber opening into said primary chamber, and means including an inlet passage adaptedto be connected to a source of secondary liquid;

plunger means slidable vertically in said primary chamber between upper and lower positions, said plunger means having passage means therethrough extending between said inlet and outlet ports, in said upper position said plunger means closing said inlet port and'said secondary liquid chamber and in said lower posit-ion said passage means being in direct flow communication with said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber so that liquids entering said primary chamber from said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber will mix within said passage means and thereafter discharge from said primary chamber through said outlet port, said plunger means being movable downwardly from said upper position to said lower position soley by the introduction of fluid pressure through said inlet port into said primary chamber; and

means biasing said plunger means toward said upper position.

2. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 1 including:

a one-way valve in said inlet passage allowing flow of secondary liquid into said secondary liquid chamber.

3. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 2 including:

a flow restriction in said secondary liquid chamber between said valve and said primary chamber.

4. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said primary chamber and said plunger means are cylindrical, the outer surface of said plunger means being in sliding engagement with the Wall of said primary chamber;

an end wall is provided at one end of said primary chamber;

said inlet port is in said end wall coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical primary chamber;

said secondary liquid chamber opens at the cylindri cal wall of said primary chamber;

said passage means comprises at least one longitudinally extending bore in said plunger means offset from said axis and an annular groove in the outer surface of said plunger means communicating with said bore;

when said plunger means is in said upper position said groove is between said secondary liquid cham ber and said end wall, and one end of said plunger means closes said inlet port; and when said plunger means is in said lower position said one end of said plunger is displaced from said inlet port to open the same and said groove registers with said secondary liquid chamber.

5. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a housing having a cylindrical primary chamber therein and inlet and outlet ports communicating with said primary chamber, said inlet port being adapted to be connected to a source of primary liquid;

means on said housing defining a secondary liquid chamber opening into said primary chamber, and means including an inlet passage adapted to be connected to a source of secondary liquid;

an end wall at one end of said primary chamber;

said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber being located at said end wall and communicating g with said primary, chamber at positions offset from the longitudinal axis'ofsaid primary chamber;

cylindrical plunger means slidable in said primary chamber between first and second positions, the outersurface of said plunger means being in sliding engagement with the wall of said primary chamber,

' said plunger means-having passage means therethrough extending between said inlet and outlet ports coaxial with said axis, in said first position said plunger means closing said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber and said passage means being closed by said end wall, and in said second position said passage means being in direct flow communication with said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber so that liquids entering said primary chamber from said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber will mix within said passage means and thereafter discharge from said primary chamber through said outlet port; and

means biasing said plunger means toward said first position.

6. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said housing includes a body and a cap secured to said body at said one end of said primary chamber; and

said end wall forms a part of said cap.

7. A liquid dispenser as set for in claim 5 including:

a one-way valve in said inlet passage allowing flow of secondary liquid into said secondary liquid chamber.

8. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 7 including:

a flow restriction in said secondary liquid chamber between said valve and said primary chamber.

9. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a housing having a cylindrical upright chamber therein and an upper end wall;

an outlet port at the lower end of said housing communicating with said chamber;

a cylindrical plunger slidable vertically within said chamber;

a passage extending longitudinally through said plunger;

an inlet port and secondary liquid chamber at said upper end wall each opening into said upright chamber and out of alignment with said passage; and

means biasing said plunger upwardly into engage ment with said end wall to close said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber, said plunger being movably downwardly in said upright chamber solely by the introduction of fluid pressure through said inlet port into said upright chamber.

10. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 9 includ ing:

an inlet passage for said secondary liquid chamber;

and

a one-way valve in said inlet passage permitting liquid to flow downwardly into said secondary liquid chamber.

11. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 10 including:

a flow restriction in said secondary liquid chamber between said valve and said upright chamber. 12. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 9 wherein: said housing comprises a cylindrical body and a cap secured to the upper end thereof, said cap providing said end wall.

13. A liquid dispenser comprising:

a housing having a cylindrical upright chamber therein and an upper end wall;

an outlet port at the lower end of said housing communicating with said chamber;

a cylindrical plunger slidable vertically within said chamber, said plunger being a hollow cup-shaped member facing downwardly and providing an upper base portion;

a passage extending longitudinally through said base portion;

an inlet port and secondary liquid chamber at said upper end wall each opening into said upright chamber and out of alignment with said passage;

and

means biasing said plunger upwardly into engagement with said end wall to close said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber, said biasing means comprising a coil spring in said cup-shaped member engaging said base portion.

14. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 1 includ- 10 ing:

a source of primary liquid above said primary chamber connected to said inlet port. 

1. A liquid dispenser comprising: a housing having a primary chamber therein and inlet and outlet ports communicating with said primary chamber, said inlet port opening into the upper end of said primary chamber and being adapted to be connected to a source of primary liquid above said chamber, said outlet port opening into the lower end of said primary chamber; means on said housing defining a secondary liquid chamber opening into said primary chamber, and means including an inlet passage adapted to be connected to a source of secondary liquid; plunger means slidable vertically in said primary chamber between upper and lower positions, said plunger means having passage means therethrough extending between said inlet and outlet ports, in said upper position said plunger means closing said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber and in said lower position said passage means being in direct flow communication with said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber so that liquids entering said primary chamber from said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber will mix within said passage means and thereafter discharge from said primary chamber through said outlet port, said plunger means being movable downwardly from said upper position to said lower position soley by the introduction of fluid pressure through said inlet port into said primary chamber; and means biasing said plunger means toward said upper position.
 2. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 1 including: a one-way valve in said inlet passage allowing flow of secondary liquid into said secondary liquid chamber.
 3. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 2 including: a flow restriction in said secondary liquid chamber between said valve and said primary chamber.
 4. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said primary chamber and said plunger means are cylindrical, the outer surface of sAid plunger means being in sliding engagement with the wall of said primary chamber; an end wall is provided at one end of said primary chamber; said inlet port is in said end wall coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical primary chamber; said secondary liquid chamber opens at the cylindrical wall of said primary chamber; said passage means comprises at least one longitudinally extending bore in said plunger means offset from said axis and an annular groove in the outer surface of said plunger means communicating with said bore; when said plunger means is in said upper position said groove is between said secondary liquid chamber and said end wall, and one end of said plunger means closes said inlet port; and when said plunger means is in said lower position said one end of said plunger is displaced from said inlet port to open the same and said groove registers with said secondary liquid chamber.
 5. A liquid dispenser comprising: a housing having a cylindrical primary chamber therein and inlet and outlet ports communicating with said primary chamber, said inlet port being adapted to be connected to a source of primary liquid; means on said housing defining a secondary liquid chamber opening into said primary chamber, and means including an inlet passage adapted to be connected to a source of secondary liquid; an end wall at one end of said primary chamber; said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber being located at said end wall and communicating with said primary chamber at positions offset from the longitudinal axis of said primary chamber; cylindrical plunger means slidable in said primary chamber between first and second positions, the outer surface of said plunger means being in sliding engagement with the wall of said primary chamber, said plunger means having passage means therethrough extending between said inlet and outlet ports coaxial with said axis, in said first position said plunger means closing said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber and said passage means being closed by said end wall, and in said second position said passage means being in direct flow communication with said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber so that liquids entering said primary chamber from said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber will mix within said passage means and thereafter discharge from said primary chamber through said outlet port; and means biasing said plunger means toward said first position.
 6. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said housing includes a body and a cap secured to said body at said one end of said primary chamber; and said end wall forms a part of said cap.
 7. A liquid dispenser as set for in claim 5 including: a one-way valve in said inlet passage allowing flow of secondary liquid into said secondary liquid chamber.
 8. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 7 including: a flow restriction in said secondary liquid chamber between said valve and said primary chamber.
 9. A liquid dispenser comprising: a housing having a cylindrical upright chamber therein and an upper end wall; an outlet port at the lower end of said housing communicating with said chamber; a cylindrical plunger slidable vertically within said chamber; a passage extending longitudinally through said plunger; an inlet port and secondary liquid chamber at said upper end wall each opening into said upright chamber and out of alignment with said passage; and means biasing said plunger upwardly into engagement with said end wall to close said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber, said plunger being movably downwardly in said upright chamber solely by the introduction of fluid pressure through said inlet port into said upright chamber.
 10. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 9 including: an inlet passage for said secondary liquid chamber; and a one-way valve in said inlet passage permitting lIquid to flow downwardly into said secondary liquid chamber.
 11. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 10 including: a flow restriction in said secondary liquid chamber between said valve and said upright chamber.
 12. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 9 wherein: said housing comprises a cylindrical body and a cap secured to the upper end thereof, said cap providing said end wall.
 13. A liquid dispenser comprising: a housing having a cylindrical upright chamber therein and an upper end wall; an outlet port at the lower end of said housing communicating with said chamber; a cylindrical plunger slidable vertically within said chamber, said plunger being a hollow cup-shaped member facing downwardly and providing an upper base portion; a passage extending longitudinally through said base portion; an inlet port and secondary liquid chamber at said upper end wall each opening into said upright chamber and out of alignment with said passage; and means biasing said plunger upwardly into engagement with said end wall to close said inlet port and said secondary liquid chamber, said biasing means comprising a coil spring in said cup-shaped member engaging said base portion.
 14. A liquid dispenser as set forth in claim 1 including: a source of primary liquid above said primary chamber connected to said inlet port. 